Florida's DMS under scrutiny for $57M vehicle mismanagement

Florida's Department of Management Services (DMS) Secretary Pedro Allende faced tough questions during a House budget panel meeting this week. This followed a report revealing that the agency could not account for over 2,200 state-owned vehicles worth more than $57 million. Subcommittee Chairwoman Vicki Lopez, a Republican from Miami, pressed Allende on various issues. One point of concern was the hiring of Edward Rhyne as the agency’s chief data analyst. Rhyne lives in Maryland and earns over $200,000. He has billed Florida for more than $42,000 in travel expenses since his appointment. Allende defended the decision to hire Rhyne and other out-of-state employees, claiming they were the most qualified candidates for the jobs. He also noted that his previous work at the U.S. Department of Energy influenced his hiring choices. The meeting also addressed the slow progress on a contract to update the People First system, which tracks state employee payroll and benefits. Lopez expressed frustration that the work was not completed by the deadline set by lawmakers, urging Allende to provide a quick update. Additionally, Allende was questioned about the cancellation of a lease for office space in the Capitol. Lopez claimed the House was not informed about the lease ending soon. After the meeting, she expressed her concerns regarding Allende's understanding of the agency's operations, calling DMS a "mess." Lopez pointed out ongoing inefficiencies and noted that the inability to track the $57 million worth of vehicles left her confused about the agency's management. She insisted that more clarity was needed in both the agency’s accountability and its projects moving forward.